Everyone has their favorite.

Some people are very particular and open up all the boxes in pursuit of the perfect etrog. They are willing to pay exorbitant prices in their quest for fulfilling the mitzvah the best way they feel they can.

Other people just grab and go.

The word “etrog” never appears in the Torah. In describing the arba minim, the four species, the term “pri eitz hadar” is used. This means a beautiful fruit. The oral tradition teaches that this fruit is the etrog, citron, and not some other citrus like a lemon or orange. The word “hadar” is also connected to the word “hiddur,” which means beautiful. In addition, it has a connection to the Hebrew word for pursue or seek. Choosing an etrog can become a pursuit of perfection.

Pursuing perfection is more than how an etrog looks.

One Erev Sukkot, Reb Aryeh Levin entered Rubenstein’s Judaica store in Jerusalem to purchase an etrog. He picked up the first box he saw, peeked inside, closed it up, paid, and went on his way. A young boy who had watched this ran after the rabbi and caught up with him at........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)